Minister of the Interior Orpo discussed asylum situation with his Nordic colleagues

Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo hosted a meeting of Nordic ministers responsible for migration and asylum affairs in Brussels today on 22 September. The ministers discussed the asylum situation in the Nordic countries. Mr Orpo expressed Finland's concern about the number of unregistered asylum seekers travelling through Denmark and Sweden to Northern Finland.

- It is not acceptable that people who have entered the EU illegally travel from one country to another without being registered as asylum seekers, Mr Orpo emphasised.

The Nordic ministers jointly stated that the Dublin system is not currently working because asylum seekers are not registered when they enter the EU territory. According to the Dublin procedure, the EU Member States first entered by asylum seekers are responsible for their registration. As Greece and Italy are facing unprecedented pressures, they have not registered those who have arrived in the country but let them leave the country without registration.

- The Dublin system is the cornerstone of the common European asylum system. If it does not work, the Schengen system to guarantee the free movement of people will not work either.

The Nordic ministers called for joint efforts by the Nordic countries to take action in the countries of origin of refugees. Such action includes supporting the activities of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), participating in the relocation of quota refugees, and trying to find legal routes to enter Europe. Mr Orpo emphasised the importance of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the Nordic countries, and of working together at EU level.

Inquiries:
Jorma Vuorio, Director General, tel. +358 295 418 860, [email protected]